Traffic-calming measures will be introduced outside a village primary school near Alton as part of a £485,000 scheme aimed at improving safety for children and pedestrians.

Pupils walking to Four Marks Church of England Primary School could soon benefit from wider pavements, safer crossings and improved drainage under plans approved by Hampshire County Council.

The scheme focuses on the busy Five Lanes junction next to the school, where narrow footways and regular flooding near crossing points have caused concern.

Under the plans, sections of pavement along Kitwood Road will be widened over around 90 metres near the main school entrance and the access points to both the primary school and neighbouring pre-school.

Further widening is planned at the junction of Kitwood Road and Hawthorn Road, alongside upgrades to the crossing point linking Kitwood Road with Gradwell Lane.

The scheme will involve moving the kerb to narrow parts of the road and create more space for pedestrians, with the affected pavements fully resurfaced.

New traffic-calming measures are also planned, including a gateway feature and signage at the southern entrance to Four Marks’ 30mph speed limit in a bid to slow drivers approaching the school.

A significant part of the project will tackle long-standing flooding problems near the School Crossing Patrol point at Five Lanes junction.

During periods of heavy rain, water regularly collects around the crossing, causing difficulties for children and parents walking to school.

Council papers describe the junction as a “localised low point” where water from surrounding roads gathers before ponding near the crossing outside the school.

To help ease the problem, new drainage gullies and underground pipework will be installed to carry water away from the junction into a soak-away beneath part of the school playing field.

The council acknowledged the works would not completely prevent flooding during extreme weather, but said they should make a noticeable difference during normal wet conditions.

The project forms part of Hampshire County Council’s wider “Safer Routes to School” programme, aimed at encouraging more families to walk rather than drive.

Work is expected to start in May 2026 and finish by July 2026, with a review of the scheme planned for September 2027.